Monday, April 11, 2005

TODAY'S QUOTE:Is there anything worse than being blind? Yes, a man with sight and no vision.Helen Keller US blind & deaf educator (1880 - 1968)Thankfully I possess both sight and vision, but if I had to give up one or the other, I would gladly offer up my eyes. I lived forty years without vision, boundaries placed by sight alone would never satisfy me nowadays. The eyes transfer images to the brain. Vision transfers images from the soul to mind and heart. Sight comes to most of us at birth. Vision takes effort, some deep digging, and is not limited to the reality of any surroundings.What can be is a product of vision. What will be comes from following that image wherever it leads. What is meant to be takes faith in what you see there. My life was a constant cycle, around the same tired track before I began seeing things through the almost magical eyes, located inside my soul. My life has a meaning and purpose that did not exist before I cleaned away the debris, blocking that view.I do not consider myself more able to achieve a clear vision than anyone else. I believe we all have the same capacity to develop it. The fact that some people never experience the blessing of soul sight had a definite part in the development of my vision. Journey's End is just a portion of the image my soul sees. This post and every other, comes from my intense desire to encourage thought, an ember to help fellow travelers light a fire deep inside. Every visitor here is a vital part of my vision. If you have vision, I hope to gaze into your eyes someday and see your fire. If you do not, I hope that something said here will inspire you to clear away the debris.The email below was too rich in truth to just send to a few so I placed it here in hopes of extending its reach. Thanks again Junie. One day I had a date for lunch with friends. Mae, a little old "blue hair" about 80 years old, came along with them---All in all, a pleasant bunch. When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Mae who said, "Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate."I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast. "Along with heated apple pie," Mae added, completely unabashed. We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time. But when our orders were brought out, I didn't enjoy mine. I couldn't take my eyes off Mae as her pie a-la-mode went down. The other ladies showed dismay. They ate their lunches silently and frowned.The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Mae. I lunched on white meat tuna. She ordered a parfait. I smiled. She asked if she amused me. I answered, "Yes, you do, but also you confuse me. How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible?She laughed and said, with wanton mirth, "I'm tasting all that's Possible. I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should. But life's so short, my friend, I hate missing out onsomething good. This year I realized how old I was. (She grinned) I haven't been this old before.""So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I had ignored. I haven't smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many books I haven't read. There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead. There are many malls I haven't shopped. I've not laughed at all the jokes. I've missed a lot of Broadway hits and potato chips and cokes.I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face. I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace. I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast. I want UN-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most. I haven't cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain. I need to feel wind in my hair.I want to fall in love again. So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner, then should I die before night fall, I'd say I died a winner, because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart's desire. I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired."With that, I called the waitress over. "I've changed my mind," I said. "I want what she is having, only add some more whipped cream!"Be mindful that happiness isn't based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people we love and respect. Remember that while money talks, CHOCOLATE SINGS!

THINK ABOUT IT

LET IT GROW

THEN DECIDE

CLICK ON TITLE FOR SOME GREAT SMILES. THANKS GEORGE! IT IS AN AWESOME PLACE THAT HAD ME GIGGLING LONG BEFORE I REACHED THE END. ENJOY AND PASS THE SITE TO OTHERS. NOBODY CAN EVER HAVE TOO MANY SMILES.